Day 1 · San Simeon to Ragged Point (38 km, warm-up with elephant seals)
Start at Hearst Castle parking (leave the car there or take the shuttle from San Luis Obispo). First 10 km flat with elephant seal beach (hundreds of them barking, smells terrible, looks amazing). Then the real climbing starts, short but steep ramps up to 10-12%. Ragged Point has the only gas station for the next 60 km and a ridiculously expensive burger with million-dollar view. Wild camping impossible here (too steep), but there’s a small inn if you feel fancy or you can push 10 km more to Plaskett Creek campground (book months ahead, it’s popular).

Day 2 · Ragged Point to Pfeiffer Big Sur (52 km, the postcard day)
This is the day you came for. Road glued to the cliffs, ocean 200 m straight down, condors flying overhead. McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (the one that drops onto the beach) is at km 25, park the bike at the pullout and walk the 5 min trail. Limekiln State Park has redwoods and tiny creeks, perfect lunch spot. Big Sur village has a bakery, post office and one very overpriced grocery store, stock up because next real food is 70 km away. Campsites: Pfeiffer Big Sur or Andrew Molera (walk-in only, first come first served). I slept under redwoods listening to owls, best night ever.

Day 3 · Big Sur to Ripplewood or Glen Oaks (35 km, short but slow)
Short day on purpose, too many stops. You climb the famous “Big Sur hurricane point” (300 m gain, nothing terrible), then drop down to Bixby Bridge (stop, take the selfie, everyone does). After that the road stays high for a while with insane views, then dives into redwood forest again. I stayed at Glen Oaks cabins (splurge, hot tub in the forest) but there’s also a free hiker-biker site at Andrew Molera if you’re cheap like me usually. Afternoon bonus: Point Sur lighthouse tour if you time it right.

Day 4 · Ripplewood to Carmel Highlands (55 km, rollers and redwoods)
You leave the wild part and enter the fancy part. Road still beautiful but more houses, more traffic. Garrapata State Park has empty beaches and short trails, worth 1-2 hours. Point Lobos at the end of the day is basically looks like a movie set, sea otters everywhere. Carmel Highlands has a small store and a couple crazy expensive hotels. Wild camping possible in the forest off Garrapata if you’re quiet.

Day 5 · Carmel Highlands to Monterey (28 km, victory lap)
Easy flat morning along 17-Mile Drive if you pay the $12 entry (totally worth it for Lone Cypress and pebble beach). Or stay on Highway 1 and save money, still gorgeous. Finish at Monterey aquarium or just grab fish & chips on the wharf and stare at the ocean one last time.

Random stuff I learned the hard way

Water: only reliable taps at campgrounds and Big Sur village, carry 4-5 L in the middle section
Fog: can roll in fast, lights front and back even in daytime
Food drops: almost none between Ragged Point and Big Sur, pack lunch or pay $18 for a tiny sandwich
Camping: every state park has hiker-biker sites $8-10 per person, never full, no reservation needed
Shoulders: mostly wide but disappear sometimes, ride like you’re invisible
Best breakfast: Big Sur Bakery (get there when they open or the line is insane)
Tyres: 32 mm minimum, the road is perfect but debris after storms

Do it once and you’ll understand why people call it the most beautiful drive, except you’re doing it on a bike, slower, wind in the face, smelling the eucalyptus and salt the whole way.
Worth every climb. See you out there!